Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Opens Enrollment for Long-Term Care Coverage
The giant pension fund — the nation’s second-largest provider of group long-term care insurance — is offering three different levels of coverage to members. Sacramento Bee.
Catholic Official Condemns Doctor-Assisted Suicide Bill
Referring to the bill as an “assault on life,” Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony criticized a measure to let physicians write prescriptions for life-ending doses of medication, as well as Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, a cosponsor of the bill. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Study Finds Jump in Safety Problems at Hospitals
Ten of 16 measures for patient safety showed an average increase in problems above 10% between 2003 and 2005. During the same time period, error reports at top-performing hospitals were sharply below those at low-performers. HealthDay/Washington Post et al.
Appointments to Health Care Overseers Drawing Scrutiny
Lawmakers will recommend to Gov. Schwarzenegger that several members of the state’s chiropractor board be dismissed for illegal actions, while critics say an appointee to the dental board could lead to preferred treatment to dentists over dental hygienists. Los Angeles Times.
Former HHS Secretary Enters 2008 Presidential Race
Tommy Thompson, President Bush’s first HHS secretary and a former governor of Wisconsin, has declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Stem Cell Agency Reveals Comments on Grant Winners
The move is intended to make the agency’s grant review process more transparent, but some open government advocates say the state should release the names of all organizations seeking grants when the applications are submitted. San Francisco Chronicle.
Fresno County Faces Cuts, New Funds for Mental Health
As Fresno County prepares to cut $10 million in mental health services from next year’s budget, county officials expect to receive at least $8.6 million in state funding for new programs targeting new clients who have not received previous assistance. Fresno Bee.
Salaries at Local Health Agencies Above State Officials’ Pay
Heads of some local health and mental health departments earn more than the directors of state programs, even after Gov. Schwarzenegger boosted compensation for some officials by more than 20%. San Francisco Chronicle.
Opinion Pieces Examine Governor’s Reform Plan
A Los Angeles Times columnist says that the outcome of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s efforts to overhaul the health care system will come this summer, and a think tank fellow is calling for stronger regulations for health insurers under the governor’s reform proposal. Los Angeles Times.
Few Insurers Cover Brand-Name Drugs in Doughnut Hole
The lack of coverage raises concerns for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis because generic equivalents are not available for treatments for those conditions. Los Angeles Times, CBS.